RANKED: The airlines least likely to delay or cancel your flight

"When booking your next flight in the US, Delta Air Lines might be your best bet for a timely arrival. In 2025, it was the most on-time airline in the US and the 10th most punctual in the world, according to a newly released annual report from aviation analytics company Cirium. Top carriers often benefit from large, well-organized hubs, simpler networks, or hubs concentrated in regions with fewer weather-related disruptions. The rankings are based on on-time arrivals - defined as flights arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time - and also reflect cancellations."

"In 2025, Delta achieved an on-time performance rate of 80.9%, down about 2.5% from 2024. Still, roughly 8 in 10 flights arrived on schedule - and the carrier handled just over 1.8 million flights, compared to about 200,000 each by Aeromexico and Saudia, per Cirium."

"Qatar Airways - boasting an over 200-strong aircraft fleet out of its sprawling Doha hub - won Cirium's top award, which goes to an airline that excels in punctuality, network efficiency, operational scale, and recovery from disruptions."

Delta Air Lines recorded an 80.9% on-time arrival rate in 2025 while handling just over 1.8 million flights and slipping from third to tenth globally. Aeromexico achieved the world's highest on-time rate, exceeding 90%. Spirit Airlines outperformed United and American despite a turbulent year. Qatar Airways received Cirium's top operational award for excellence in punctuality, network efficiency, operational scale, and recovery. On-time arrivals are defined as flights arriving within 15 minutes of scheduled time and include cancellations. Aviation data firm OAG considers 80% or better "pretty good," while only top carriers reach 90%+.

Read at Business Insider